His Act and Taking it on the Road

This past summer's hiatus did not find this young man at rest. Nope-ah! In fact, he worked on not one but two Independent movie projects that CoA spotlighted in our 2-part Summer Film Fest feature. First, he lent his acting and singing talents to Buffy the Vampire Slayer co-star, Amber Benson on her first self-written, acted, directed and produced film, Chance. He played the role of Jack, an aspiring nightclub singer, whom Amber's lead character, Chance, has a crush on. Andy brings Jack to life in his own unique and stylish way but much to Chance's disappointment, Jack turns out to be gay. This discovery is brought to light in a humorous scene between

As the character Jack, Andy gives a new dimension to Chance

Andy and fellow Buffy actor, James Marsters. "I love them all," Amber commented about working with the two studlies. "They were a joy to work with and they made it a very special movie indeed." Very special and very reassuring. At least working along side people you are familiar with takes a bit of the nervous edge away and allows you to approach the part with more clarity. "Yeah, it's fun and that was really cool," said Andy about performing in Chance. "[Amber] was totally cool too. Very open to suggestions, ideas and thoughts that everybody had but still had her very specific vision in mind and ultimately did what she wanted to do, but took every bodies point of view."

He followed his role in Chance with another first enterprising ensemble in The Enforcers, a comedy film, written and directed by Angel scriptwriter Mere Smith. Here, Andy got to stretch his acting capabilities, playing the seediest character Mere would dredge up, that of a Mob fleecing hotel owner. "Going to do Enforcers was something totally different," explains Andy. "I had to grow out my 5-o'clock shadow for a few days, then they even enhanced it a little bit, and wear a little wife-beater t-shirt." Being accustomed with Mere's talents on Angel, Andy was well aware of her professionalism, but maybe not so much of her sense of humor. "Of course Andy is always good for some laughs," said Mere. "He's actually playing this really skuzzy, sleazy, low-rent hotel guy. His hair's all greased back and he's wearing a ripped-up Riverdance shirt, which I found in the Good Will Store." She recalled laughing, "I was like, 'He has to wear this!' " Whether the praise comes from his fellow actors or the talented writers who provide Andy with amazing characters, he is still humbled by their compliments and doesn't hesitate to fire back that, "they're all awesome!" To read the full detailed account of Andy's experience during the production of these two films, check out the CoA Summer Film Fest features, Part I and Part II .

"I feel extremely fortunate to be able to have found this outrageous gig that allows both [singing and acting]."

Andy has had the pleasant double-duty chore of acting and singing, not something most actors get a chance to do on a regular show each week. If he didn't have this amazing opportunity where he got to do both and had to choose one or the other, which would be his main interest? "If I wasn't working on Angel I'd probably be parking cars. Seriously," he confessed. "Well I love both, I feel extremely fortunate to be able to have found this outrageous gig that allows both. Sometimes it hits me where I just take it for granted. Yesterday I was like, 'Shoot, this is really wild. I'm back, I'm singing, I'm acting, doing exactly what I want to do.' It's really fun but if I had to pick one or the other, I don't know. It's funny because a lot of actors and singers think they can do both and I hate pretending to be one of those guys. I don't even know if I can do both or not. I love Mariah Carey," he explains, "I think she's great, she has a great voice, but I remember the first time I ever heard that she was taking acting lessons, I was like, 'Oh alright Mariah, come on! Stick to singing, you're great at it, you're selling multi-platinum albums just stay with that.' So I kind of get into that mode where I'm like, if you do one thing just stick with that and then here I am. I'm not even putting myself at the same level as her, don't get me wrong, but it's a really weird thing."

New Season and Beyond

The third season of Angel is well underway as fans and critics alike are raving at the excellence it continues to produce. From the season premiere to the November Sweeps cliffhanger to the sensational story arc of Angel's child, each episode seems to surpass its predecessor. I mean, who would have thought, Lorne in Terrycloth! Prior to the start of season three, we asked Andy if he was looking forward to the new season. "Yes, I just got signed on for 13 more episodes this season, for a minimum. They said they'll probably use me for some more but the maximum amount they can contract for is 13 when you're a guest cast member." Fans will be happy to hear that the infamous Caritas owner and interpreter to the Powers That Be 'ain't going anywhere' soon. But as far as the future of Andy Hallett is concerned, what's in the stars for this Jack of all trades? "I know that I'm with [Angel] this season, hopefully for the duration. And I would love, love, love, which some of them are talking about, doing a Host CD. Some of the Host's favorite standards or something being released. That would be my next goal." There is a song in this mans' heart and he wants to share it with everyone!

Mark Lutz and Andy greet their fans at Dragon*Con 2001 in Atlanta

Andy has maintained a very busy agenda combined with this filming schedule by attending as many convention functions as possible. He loves being able to give back to the fans that have inspired the shows producers to make Lorne a character not to be so lightly discarded. After San Diego, Andy was off to Atlanta to appear and host at Dragon*Con: one of the premiere Sci-fi conventions of the year and brought along Amber Benson to share in the festivities. He followed that with spending part of his Thanksgiving weekend at the Mid-Ohio Con in Columbus with fellow Pylean, actor Mark Lutz, better known to fans as the Groosalugg from the season two, story arc finale. A great personality and a loyal admirer of the arts, Andy brings the gifts of his talents into the limelight. With a bright and challenging career in front of him, he can go nowhere but the furthermost his goals and desires will take him. It's a lyric from a Frank Sinatra song, but it's fitting for what Andy has accomplished so early in his career, 'All this and heaven too.'

Written by CoA Writers, Kristy Bratton and Jeff Ritchie

CityofAngel.com would like to extend a warm Thank you to Andy Hallett for continuing to allow us more than our share of his time.

Special Thanks to Jamie Boatner for all his gracious assistance.

To keep up with all that Andy is doing, visit his Official Web site at: Andy-Hallett.net

PBP and Dragon*Con photos used solely with the expressed consent of Rising Stars.

'Chance' photo used solely with the expressed consent of Benson Entertainment, Inc.

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